Author: praveen.pothuganti@traderinteractive.com

  • EverGreen’s Ever-Lite Travel Trailer Still the Only Composite Constructed RV

    EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC has manufactured the Ever-Lite with ComposiTekÔconstruction continuously since 2008. It remains the only composite travel trailer on the market today, providing consumers with the distinct advantage of owning an RV that is extremely resistant to moisture, rot, and other elements that bring an end to most RVs. The Ever-Lite is up to 1,200 pounds lighter than comparable travel trailers without composites. There are eight versatile and incredibly functional Ever-Lite floor plans to choose from.
    About Ever-Lite – Built to Last with Composite Construction
    The Ever-Lite travel trailer is up to 20 percent lighter compared to other travel trailers due to the use of composites. ComposiTek™ construction walls, roof, floor and a composite exterior wall that is finished with a fiberglass gel-coat – in a new cream color this year – make the Ever-Lite built to last!
    The attention to detail continues in the interior in all eight of the functional Ever-Lite floorplans, which are designed with quality in mind. Corian© countertops, crowned ceiling moldings and over stuffed furniture add to the quality of the Ever-Lite while all cabinetry is glued and screwed, never stapled, and raised panel cabinet doors make the Ever-Lite a residential space. A double-door refrigerator-freezer and residential sink contribute to the function of the Ever-Lite brand. Deep slide floor plans are also available, a full 42 inches average—six inches more than the competition. Large, frameless, tinted automotive-style windows and skylights add natural light, while bright LEDs light the interior. Overhead, under the bed, in the kitchen pantry, and in the lighted pass-through storage area provide owners with ample storage for the additional 1,000 pounds of gear you can take with you. Options include a 15,000-BTU A/C, a second 13,500-BTU A/C for the bedroom, a 32-inch TV upgrade is available, and a 74-inch Hide-A-Bed can be exchanged for the standard storage sofa.
    The Ever-Lite remains EverGreen’s innovative, composite flagship brand. The up-front investment in composite materials, and the complexity of manufacturing with composites, are just two of the reasons the EverGreen Ever-Lite remains the only composite travel trailer on the market to this day. With its composite construction, the Ever-Lite provides consumers with a longer lasting investment than conventionally built RVs.

    For more information: www.GoEverGreenRV.com

    EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC 10758 County Road 2, Middlebury, IN 46540 Phone: 574-825-4298 Fax: 574-825-4299

  • EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC the Fastest Growing Company Among the Top 14 Towable RV Manufacturers with 85.5 Percent of Unit Growth

    EverGreen Recreational Vehicles and its Lifestyle Luxury RV division are the fastest growing among the top 14 fastest growing manufacturers in the towable segment for 2013. The year-end numbers from the independent Statistical Surveys, Inc. of Grand Rapids Michigan show that EverGreen had the highest growth statistics for both unit growth and market share growth which ranks them among the top 14 towable RV manufacturers. The momentum for EverGreen is significant as the firm’s top position in the towable segment moved from 74.7 percent of unit growth with market share growth of 52.2 in September to 85.5 percent of unit growth and 60.4 percent of market share growth —an increase of over 10 percent in the fourth quarter alone.
    “We’ve shown significant momentum throughout 2013 and it continues in 2014,” stated EverGreen President and COO Mark Boessler. “We attribute our leading position to attracting and partnering with the best dealers in the business. Our entire manufacturing and sales team must also be commended, as we now have 10 unique brands to choose from. Our dealers are profiting from both our innovative designs and the variety of price points we are hitting.”
    Boessler also noted that EverGreen’s policy of providing its dealers with true protected trade territories and rejecting the industry norm of selling similar brands in the same marketplace is also key to dealer success. 
    “We understand that our dealers have a dramatically higher rate of success and capture far more market share in their territories, without having to deal with cloned products being sold right across town,” Boessler added. “We encourage dealers interested in our way of doing business, or those who are looking to replace a current line, to give us a call.” 

    For more information: www.GoEverGreenRV.com
    EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC 10758 County Road 2, Middlebury, IN 46540 Phone: 574-825-4298 Fax: 574-825-4299

  • EverGreen’s Bay Hill – The Most Affordable Luxury Fifth-wheel

    EverGreen Recreational Vehicles’ Bay Hillfifth-wheels continue to be produced at a ‘Best in Class’ value. The six unique floor plans are filled with innovative designs, yet still at a price for mid-range consumers.

    About Bay Hill Fifth-wheels
    The Bay Hill series of fifth-wheels are built with an all-aluminum wall structure and use EverGreen’s vacuum laminated construction processes. Exterior construction features include a crowned, walk-on rubber roof, and fiberglass or cream gel-coated exterior with matching fiberglass painted front caps. Large, tinted, automotive style frameless window, power awning, and an exterior monster-sized storage space all standard on Bay Hill models.
    The Bay Hill 340RK stands out with some of the most sought after features in a fifth-wheel. A massive gourmet rear kitchen complete with etched glass pantry, designer range hood, residential solid-wood with screwed and glued cabinetry, and designer glass inlays in the upper cabinets create a feel of luxury. Corian® countertops, a stainless steel sink with gooseneck faucet, and stainless appliances also add to the quality of the Bay Hill.

    Consumers do not need to worry about having a residential-feeling space. With up to five slide-outs in some models, the Bay Hill never feels cramped. The 340RK feels truly residential featuring stairs with banister up to the private bedroom. Bedrooms come standard with an 80-inch bed with Denver Pillowtop mattress. Other amenities include bullet reading lights above the bed, a TV jack and LCD TV bracket, night stands with power outlets, and spa-inspired etched glass wardrobe doors. Bathrooms have large walk-in showers with a glass shower door, a skylight over the shower or tub, a convenient hand sprayer in the tub and powerful exhaust fan. 
    All areas in the Bay Hill are well lit thanks to the LED lighting package.  Luxury comes standard with crowned ceiling molding, comfortable residential-style furniture, remote controlled fireplace with heater, and big screen LED TV.
    For more information: www.GoEverGreenRV.com

    EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC 10758 County Road 2, Middlebury, IN 46540 Phone: 574-825-5578 Fax: 574-825-5508
  • Eugene RV Show Scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2

    The Eugene RV Show returns to Oregon’s Lane County Fairgrounds, running Feb. 28 to March 2.
    According to a press release, participating dealers will include Al’s Trailer Sales, George M. Sutton RV, Paul Evert’s RV Country, RV Outlet, and The RV Corral showcasing hundreds of new and used RV’s. Free parking and admission is available all three days.
    The event will encompass over 70,000 square feet of indoor space, along with acres of outside displays. RV service, accessories, and RV destination resorts will also be on display and George M. Sutton RV will be showcasing the “Boss Bug Out Shelter,” designed by survival expert Tim Ralston for Little Guy Manufacturing.
    For more information or to enter a special promotion by RV Trade visit www.eugenervshow.com.
  • EverGreen Recreational Vehicle’s Innovative Amped Toy Hauler Receives 2014 Best of Show Honors from RV Pro Magazine



    Middlebury, Ind.— EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC, is proud to announce the Amped Toy Hauler has been named a “2014 Best of Show” from RV Pro Magazine. The award was announced in the January issue of the magazine and is available to subscribers now.

    “We are thrilled that our Amped Toy Hauler was named Best of Show by RV Pro Magazine,” said EverGreen RV President and COO Mark Boessler. “We knew when we created this travel trailer we had designed something unique. With storage space only found in a fifth-wheel, the Amped is a perfect solution for SUV and pickup owners who prefer conventional towing.”

    “The Amped offers several features typically found only in upscale fifth-wheels,” stated RV Pro Magazine. “This includes substantial pass through trunk and basement storage space thanks to its Z-Frame Technology. The fact that the toy hauler ramp can be partially lowered to create a patio deck is also a nice bonus.” 

    The Amped Toy Hauler is available in five floor plans ranging from 22 to 32 feet. Other unique features include the use of composite materials in the interior sidewalls and wall-to-wall loading with no wheel wells in the garage area.

    Savvy RV consumers are increasingly investing in “The EverGreen Difference” as the company continues to dramatically lead the towable RV segment in sales. Of the top 15 towable RV manufacturers, EverGreen Recreational Vehicles LLC, along with its Lifestyle Luxury RV fifth-wheel division, was the fastest growing company in the industry for both registered retail sales and total increase in market share for the year 2013.

    To learn more about the entire family of EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, travel trailers and fifth-wheels, and find a dealer near you, visit www.GoEverGreenRV.com
    Write: EverGreen Recreational Vehicles, LLC 10758 County Road 2,
    Middlebury, IN 46540
    Phone: 574-825-4298 Fax: 574-825-4299

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  • Thor Motor Coach Ranks #1 Motorhome Brand US & North America

    Elkhart, Indiana – The retail customers have chosen, nearly  1 out of every 4 motorhomes sold in America are a Thor Motor Coach making them the #1 brand of motorhomes in the United States for 2013*. Thor Motor Coach’s motorhomes make up more than 23% of the US market share.
    The combination of retail sales from the United States and Canada also make Thor Motor Coach the clear retail leader for all of North America for the 3rd year in a row.
    Outstanding performance from individual motorhome brands include A.C.E., the #1 selling Class A motorhome, and Four Winds, the #1 selling Class Cmotorhome. Other big market share gainers include the Palazzo brand of diesel motorhome with a 200% increase, the Windsport Class A RV with a 104% increase and the Tuscany brand of luxury diesel motorhome with an 63% increase in units retailed during 2013.
    Innovative and revolutionary new designs like the Axis and Vegas brands of RecreationalUtility Vehicles (RUVs) created a whole new segment of motorhomes, making a big impression with the media and consumers throughout the RV industry.  The Outlaw brand of Toy Haulers continued to build a strong presence in the market with the introduction of two new Class C model’s, helping it to gain a substantial 63% unit sales increase over 2012.
    “We are thrilled with the results. I really believe this is testament to the team we have at Thor Motor Coach. Our product planning, engineering, sales and manufacturing personnel have all pushed themselves to create the most innovative products in the market,” stated Dana Simon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Thor Motor Coach. “Over the years, our dealer partners have been the key contributor in promoting our brand. We cannot express how much gratitude we have for them and how much we value their relationships. We would also like to say thank you to the owners of TMC motorhomes. Their enthusiasm for our coaches is undeniable.”
    To find out more about Thor Motor Coach and the best-selling RV models in the US and Canada, visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com or call 1-800-860-5658.
    *Data based on retail sales provided by Statistical Survey’s, Grand Rapids, Michigan
    About Thor Motor Coach
    Motorhome Manufacturer Thor Motor Coach, Inc. is an operating unit of Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO), producing various motorized recreational vehicles that are sold throughout the United States and Canada. Thor Motor Coach RV brands include Siesta Sprinter and Citation Sprinter Class B+ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based Diesel Motorhomes; Siesta and Citation Class B Plus Motorhomes; Four Winds and Chateau Class C Motorhomes; A.C.E., Axis RUV,Challenger, Hurricane, Miramar, Windsport and Vegas RUV Class A Motorhomes; Outlaw ToyHauler Class A and Class C Motorhomes; and Palazzo, Tuscany XTE and Tuscany Class A DieselMotorhomes. For more information, visitThorMotorCoach.com or call 800-860-5658.

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  • Thor Motor Coach’s Motorhomes a Hit at 2014 RV Shows

    Elkhart, IN (February 17th, 2014) From coast to coast, motorhomes from North America’s #1 Motorhome Manufacturer are the hit of retail RV Shows.

    “Every RV Show so far this year is getting positive feedback. Consumers are really enjoying the innovative product changes we are engineering into our gas-powered motorhomes,” commented Joel Grimm, National Sales Manager for Class C and Class A Gas Motorhomes.

    The new Axis and Vegas Recreational Utility Vehicle (RUV) Class A motorhomes have been the talk of the show circuit. These compact motorhomes continue to draw new people to the RV lifestyle. The RUVs are targeted at the same market as large automobile-based SUVs. The RUV eliminates all of the shortcomings of a traditional SUV by providing a self-contained environment including kitchen, dining, bathroom and sleeping facilities in a small 25-foot package.  The Axis and Vegas also boast having received the inaugural “RVBusiness 2014 RV of the Year” award. Rollin’ on TV takes a look at RV Business’ RV of the Year winner: http://goo.gl/ofv3H6

    Other motorhomes that have had a major impact this show season include the Outlaw Toyhauler, now with a complete line-up of Class A and Class C motorhomes ranging from 29 to 38 feet. The new 2014 Tuscany Class A motorhomes have the diesel market fired up with all new exteriors and interiors. For 2014, 40-foot Tuscany motorhomes now have all the high-end features found in the larger Tuscany Tag Axle models, including the Aqua-Hot hydronic furnace and water heating, ZF Independent Front Suspension and custom tile floor inlays.

    “The Tuscany and Tuscany XTE are dominant players in today’s diesel market. Combined with the sweeping success of the already best-selling Palazzo and we have the ultimate one-two-three punch. All of our motorhomes are built with input and direction from our dealers and the owners which have helped us gain significant market share increases,” noted National Sales Manager for Class A Diesel Motorhomes, Adam Gudger.
    To find an upcoming RV Show near you, visit http://blog.ThorMotorCoach.com/rv-shows/upcoming
    For more information on Thor Motor Coach please visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com or call 800-860-5658.
    About Thor Motor Coach
    Thor Motor Coach, Inc is an operating unit of Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO), producing various motorized recreational vehicles that are sold throughout the United States and Canada. Thor Motor Coach’s RV brands include Class C MotorhomesFour Winds and ChateauMercedes Benz Sprinter Based Class B+ Diesel MotorhomesSiesta Sprinter and Citation SprinterClass B Plus MotorhomesSiesta and CitationClass A Motorhomes GasA.C.E., Axis RUVDaybreakChallengerHurricaneMiramar, WindsportVegas RUV, and Outlaw Toy HaulersClass A Diesel MotorhomesPalazzo and Tuscany TAG & XTE.
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  • How to Identify which RVs are the Mostly Costly to Repair and Maintain in the Post-Recession Era

    By Staci Ritchie, Market Analyst for WholesaleWarranties.com

    The RV Industry has been one of the most rapidly changing businesses in the country over the last 10 years.  The incredible technology that goes into most coaches, combined with many manufacturers having gone out of business or having changed ownership, has left most RVers confused as consumers. With constant changes, it is difficult to determine what can be expected from a coach—how often will it breakdown, and how much will it cost?


    This RV market volatility has made the repair business more complex and costly than ever before, adding to the struggle RV owners face when planning and budgeting for possible repairs.  As one would expect, the reliability of modern RVs varies greatly across make and model. While some RVs are famously dependable, other RV models are durable but costly to repair when they do breakdown, and some RV models are simply notorious for needing frequent, pricey repairs.  The question is: how does a consumer determine which RVs tend to be more costly to repair and maintain than others?  This article seeks to explain the potential risks of RV ownership, along with helping to accurately estimate the long term liability of future repair for any given RV.

    Jeff Shelton, owner of WholesaleWarranties.com, a leading provider of discounted RV Extended Warranties, is an advocate for customers seeking information on RV breakdown statistics. Jeff states, “Finding accurate information on which RVs have the most common and costly problems can be next to impossible to discover through traditional methods.  I see more and more customers using online RV extended warranty providers like us to find out the warranty cost before they consider buying their desired RV.  Most won’t buy a vehicle that comes with a high warranty cost, since it’s in the warranty company’s best interest to incorporate accurate repair cost information into their pricing.  Whether the RVer chooses to protect their rig from breakdowns up-front with a warranty, or decides to risk it and pay for repairs as they come, most people are happy they got an idea of what to expect through our free warranty quotes.”

    What is the likelihood of major breakdowns for most RVs?

    It is impossible to tell how often any vehicle will experience a mechanical failure, but industry statistics do offer some insight for RV owners. The stats reveal that three out of every ten RVs will need some type of major repair by only their second year on the road, and nearly every RV by just their eighth. Along with more items to repair, RV repair facilities across the country have shown an increase in labor rates, with most charging $100 or more per hour. The cost of RV parts is even more shocking. As a nationwide average, the cost of parts for a given RV repair will average about double the cost of labor. Between the $100 for labor and $200 for parts, RV owners can expect an average of $300 or more per hour that the RV is being worked on. Unfortunately, many new RV enthusiasts neglect to include these high repair costs when crunching the numbers in their RV budget.


    If breakdowns are inevitable, what are the most common items that fail, and how much could it cost?

    Again, this would depend on the particular RV make and model, but the typical range owners can expect to pay for common repairs is as follows:

    Common Repairs

    Engine                           $1,400 – $30,000
    Transmission                $1,900 to $12,000
    Dash Air                        $700 – $3,800
    Fuel System                  $600 – $3,400
    Braking Components    $500 – $2,500
    Roof A/C                       $600 – $3,500
    Generator                     $400 – $4,000
    Refrigerator                  $600 – $3,500
    Waste System               $400 – $3,400
    Leveling System            $500 to $2,000
    Slide Outs                      $500 to $1,700
    Heating Assembly         $300 to $1,500

    Of course, some RVs will go years without any problems, while others seem to have some type of issue every time they hit the road.  For this reason, more and more people are using the internet to find out their risks by checking with RV warranty industry leaders such as WholesaleWarranties.com for warranty pricing as a guide.


    RV warranty expert Jeff Shelton encourages RV owners to contact his company for a price estimate, even if they aren’t positive they’ll purchase the coverage.  Jeff states, “Whether to pay for breakdowns ahead of time or as they come up is a personal choice.   It’s our responsibility to provide accurate, reliable information on the risk and coverage that a warranty does and does not provide, and let the individual make the best choice for their RV budget. I feel the days of pushy salespeople are over. RVers come to us with different mindsets. Some are comfortable with taking the risk of RV repair on and just want to get an idea of what to expect, while others would not RV without the type of protection we provide, and we are happy to offer our service as a trustworthy place to get breakdown cost assessments either way. We are happy to offer these services, and to educate RV owners on the surprising costs of RV repair.”  For more information on obtaining RV breakdown costs and information, or for help in setting up pre-purchase inspections, visit www.WholesaleWarranties.com.
  • LIVIN LITE Super Bowl Tailgating Trailer Featured on FOX NEWS

    LIVIN LITE Recreational Vehicles, located in Wakarusa, IN, was recently featured on FOX NEWS during their Super Bowl Sunday coverage. The company’s Game Day tailgating trailer, featuring custom graphics for the big game, was on location at FOX’s downtown studio in Manhattan, N.Y. to show why it truly is “the ultimate tailgating experience.”
    In the first aired segment, LIVIN LITE National Sales Manager Mike Tribble shared about the Game Day trailer, and it’s many unique features. With the three large swing up doors open, the 70″ flat screen TV with sound system and two bar areas each with their own 60” TV and Xbox system were on display. Of particular interest were the two portable leatherette sofas, kitchen area with large four door refrigerator/freezer, stainless steel grill, stainless steel kegerator, and his & hers bathrooms. In the second segment, the tailgating trailer was featured with celebrity chef and author Eric LeVine, who who’s book  “Small Bites Big Flavor” is a best-seller, and who was named International Catering Chef of the Year.  Chef LeVine shared tips and recipes for the perfect tailgating Super Bowl party.


    The Game Day trailer features LIVIN LITE’s standard “no wood — no rot” all-aluminum and composite construction so this 28’ unit weighs in at a mere 4,500 lbs which can be pulled by most SUVs. Each trailer can be customized in a variety of painted aluminum exterior colors ready for your team’s graphics. Keep your eyes out, too, for a Race Day trailer the company has in the works for the upcoming NASCAR season!

    For more information on LIVIN LITE’s new Game Day trailer or any of their other ultra-lightweight products, visit their website at www.LIVINLITE.com or call 574.862.2228
  • LIVIN LITE Introduces new BEARCAT Offroad Campers

    LIVIN LITE Recreational Vehicles, manufacturer of ultra-lightweight, all-aluminum and composite constructed automotive campers, travel trailers and toy haulers is taking their units off-roading. “99% OF THE WORLD IS UNPAVED – Get Out There and Experience It!” is the mantra behind LIVIN LITE’s new line of BEARCAT Offroad Campers. With a wide variety of models available, including travel trailers, automotive tent campers and toy haulers, there’s an affordable BEARCAT Offroad Camper to meet every lifestyle and budget need! 

    These ultra lightweight campers are designed for the rugged terrain that offroad adventurers crave, featuring all-aluminum and composite construction, including the interior cabinetry, along with increased ground clearance and rugged, all-terrain tires.  Consumers can choose from different accent colors on the exterior of their BEARCAT, providing a better match with their particular ATV or dirt bike.

    If you are the kind of camper who loves to get away from the masses, and enjoy looking to take your camping off-road, be sure to visit LIVIN LITE’s website at www.LIVINLITE.com to review the latest information and photos on the exciting BEARCAT line of offroad campers.